3 weeks yesterday

Hello, long time, no see!

5 weeks to be exact - I've had a lot going on during that time, but fear not - I'm still in training and dare I say a lot more confident about achieving success than I was!

Not in small part due to this:

Meet "Twitchy", my new steed.

He's a bundle of fun and a whole lot lighter and faster than his predecessor (anybody want to buy a 1 year old, fully functional hybrid bike, one not so careful owner???)
The only complaint I have is about the saddle - it feels more like I'm sitting on a razor blade than a racer. Still, gel padding will be employed on the day.

So, what have I been doing for the last 5 weeks? Well, finishing up one job and starting another, mostly. What with birthdays, weddings, visitors, house moves and leaving dos, I haven't had a lot of free time to update the blog!

I might as well bring you right up to date with yesterday's ride. I managed at least 67 miles, but my GPS app mysteriously can't account for a gap of about 3 miles, so I reckon it was more like 70 really.

Had to slow down several times to allow these guys across the road:

...and then there was the time I just had to stop so I could take this pic (I missed the bit where they were splashing around with joy) of deer cooling off in the pond.

I wish I could have joined them. Yesterday was by far the hottest day of training I've experienced so far. I lost count of the number of times I refilled my water bottle, but it made my end of circuits ice cream all the more appreciated!

This was my view after about 40 miles - stretched out under a lovely shady tree:

I can't write an entry on this blog without making reference to the fauna, as well as the flora, but, apart from the deer, there wasn't much willing to show itself to the summer sun. Except, that is, butterflies and dragonflies :-) They were everywhere and were clearly attracted to either me or the bike because we came into contact repeatedly. All that space they've got to flutter about in and they kept fluttering into me! Sorry, I don't have any pretty pics to add of those :-(

So, looking forward to the big day (Sunday 4th August) I've now received my registration number and start time!

There are going to be several waves of starters between 6am and 8am and somehow I seem to have been put up the front with the fast riders :-S
Oh well, I'm hoping that means I'll have longer to complete the course. If not, I'd better get practising my lassoo technique  so I can get someone else to pull me along...

Saving the best til last, another BIG Thank You to everyone supporting me with my training and fundraising for Mind. I am now less than £7 away from hitting my £600 target!!! I am blown away by everyone's generosity and am hopeful to be able to say the target had been reached very soon! Hint, hint, who wants to be the one to get me there?!

Http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CathyHyland

Thanks again,

C x